Make Your Life Easier. LG G3 Review and Giveaway!!

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As a busy mom, my smartphone is attached to my hip. I might as well refer to it as my fourth child. Not only do I use it to keep organized but also to stay sane. It’s my outlet to the outside world; it’s what I do on my “down-time” (aka when I try to sneak to the bathroom alone for a few moments of peace and quiet). It’s also my secret weapon to combat my kids’ boredom and tantrums when all else fails or when I’m short a hand (with three boys, that’s always). It’s my most important daily accessory. Since I rely on my smartphone for so much, not just any smartphone will do. It’s the one thing I’m extremely picky about when normally, I’m even keel about everything else.

It's a big part of my every day life!

It’s a big part of my every day life!

A year ago, I got to test out two different smartphones along with with my existing one. One of those phones was the LG G2. It was the one I selected to keep and use, giving away the rest. As luck would have it, a few months ago I dropped my G2 on the ground and it broke. Yes, I dropped it and it broke; Of course, it never breaks when my kids drop it, go figure. I digress. It was such an amazing phone that I didn’t want to settle for any of the other phones that I already owned. That’s why I was thrilled to try out the new LG G3 phone. Overall, I love that it has all of the features that I previously enjoyed on the G2 but tons of new features as well. Here are some of my favourite aspects that I think most other parents could use and love as well.

Camera

Picture Quality

I’m going to say it upfront. A smartphone’s camera is ultimately my key decision factor when selecting a phone. That’s how I ultimately choose to use the LG G2 over the other phones that I had. I even gave away my other two smartphones because I knew that I wouldn’t use them due to the camera quality. The camera’s 13 Megapixel sensor is almost as high as most digital cameras but just as amazing to the naked eye. The phone’s camera comes with image stabilization and laser auto focus which is ideal for fast moving kids, which is exactly what I need for my constantly moving boys. You can take a picture much quicker on this phone compared to others to ensure you capture the moment. What parent wouldn’t love that feature?

One of my favourite family pictures taken on my LG G3

One of my favourite family pictures taken on my LG G3

Selfies

If you love taking selfies (of you alone or with your kids), this is the camera for you. The screen illuminates, providing both a flash option (perfect for night shots or dark settings) and a soft light for your face. Hello!!!….anyone for a flawless look at all times? Another great feature as part of the “selfie” mode is the ability to take a picture by the use of a hand gesture instead of actually touching the phone. This is a total game changer! All you have to do is put up your hand until the camera detects it and a box appears on the screen and then make a fist to take a photo. It’s so easy to use even my four year old son can do it!

Using the hand gesture to take a group selfie

Using the hand gesture to take a group selfie

Screen size

The phone’s big (but not enormous), 5.5″ Quad HD display is perfect for viewing those quality pictures of your family. It’s also great for when my kids use the phone to play their games or watch their shows on.

LG G3 screen

Smart Notice / Cleaning

The Smart Notice feature is a great new feature that provides you with some great information and tips to keep you organized and to help your phone’s longevity. For example, an alert will pop up to let you know that rain is expected at night, so you might want to bring an umbrella with you. It also alerts you when your battery is low and reminds you to call back your missed calls. Smart cleaning helps you clear up space on your phone by letting you know which apps haven’t been used in a while and recommending that you remove them.

Battery Life

Compared to most of the other android phones that I have used or tested in the past, I have to say that the LG G3 has one of the longest lasting batteries. As mentioned above, my smartphone is my outlet to the outside world, so this is definitely important to me, especially when I’m on the road and rely on it for directions or to stay in touch with my husband, or to take pictures of my kids to ensure I capture our fun times together.

LG G3 phone

Some of the other nice to have features include:

1. Knock Code. Instead of a password, you can use a knock code to turn the phone on.

2. Guest mode. Perfect for when you lend your phone to your kids. Simply set a guest knock code and your kids will only have access to those apps that you have chosen. This ensures that they won’t place an unwanted call or send e-mails to your boss or clients

3. Smart keyboard. The LG G3 keyboard analysis the way you type and automatically adjusts the keyboard size to help you type more efficiently.

GIVEAWAY

I’m sure that by now, I have you all running out the door to go pick up the new LG G3 smartphone. Luckily, one of you can own one for FREE. That’s right! Together with my friends at LG Canada, I am giving away an LG G3 Smartphone valued at $700. Enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter below (please give it a few seconds to load). Contest is open to Canadians (excludes Quebec) and ends Wednesday November 19, 2014. Good-luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am part of the Mom Central Canada LG G3 Blogger Campaign and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

What Others Are Saying:

  2. Andrea B. says

    The guest mode is my favorite because I sometimes let my kids use my phone to play games on and I like to play things on the safe side. Thank you for the opportunity!

    Reply

  3. says

    I think the Smart Notice would be my favourite. I like the that you get reminded to return missed calls as I often forget to do so. I also like how it lets you know which apps you have not used lately and you may want to get rid of them as my phone is full of apps and I find I never get around to going through them to delete unused ones.

    Reply

  6. says

    My favourite feature is the Selfie feature for the front facing camera. That is my biggest pet peeve with my current phone…selfies that are too dark or grainy. Any the fact that you can use gestures?! So nice!

    Reply

  13. Christina B. says

    The smart keyboard! That seems really cool to me! Plus anything is better then my old cell phone with the lousiest battery! :p

    Reply

  18. Angela Mitchell says

    The picture quality of this phone would be the most important feature for me as well. I currently have an ancient phone that I can’t take any pictures with and I’d love to be able to catch those spur of the moment photos of the kids.

    Reply

  21. Anne Taylor says

    The camera sounds amazing and I’m going to be taking lots of pics soon when my grandson is born in March! This phone would be perfect for mThanks!e!

    Reply

  24. Krista M says

    The hand gesture for the camera is a great idea & I love the large screen size. I only have a tiny old flip-phone with zero features so this would be amazing to own.

    Reply

  27. michelle tremblett says

    I love the camera, I don’t use a digital camera so I really rely on a great phone camera, also I love the guest mode, awesome !

    Reply

  28. Judy Cowan says

    I love the quality of the camera. My current camera takes terrible pictures so I never use it so it would be nice to have a phone with a great camera. I also think that the Knock Code is a nice feature.

    Reply

  29. SueSueper says

    I think GUEST MODE is perfect. Often people want to check out the phone or make a quick call. This sounds like a great feature.

    Reply

  57. Viv Sluys says

    I love the guest feature. I let my kids use my phone and sometimes apps get opened that they don’t need to be using (like Facebook and then they accidentally post gibberish!)

    Reply

  59. zahra premji says

    I love the camera and the battery life. I don’t like having to find a charging station during the day so a phone that can let me use it all day and not need to be recharged until bedtime is awesome!

    Reply

  63. says

    Hands on parent - Communication is key with my 10 year old son Evan, so setting a guest knock code and allowing access to the apps that I have chosen. Sign of the times….allow more freedom - but be wise enough to be Parent Aware.

    Eva Mitton-Urban

    Reply

  66. Jennifer P. says

    The Guest mode is my favourite feature. I don’t have a smart phone yet, but if I ever get one I think I would definitely like this kind of feature so that if my kids got a hold of my phone they would only be able to access things I wanted them to. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  72. says

    My favourite feature is definitely the 13 megapixel sensor camera. Your photos look amazing! I’d love to be able to share good quality photos instantly with my friends and family around the country! No more crappy low-resolution grainy pics for us! ;)

    Reply

  75. whatiadore says

    The picture quality would probably be my number one. My phone is old so the pixel power is no where near the new phones these days!

    Reply

  78. says

    The camera mode sounds great! I take a lot of pictures on my regular camera so I’d probably take even more if I had a phone! Plus I like guest mode - I’m really careful about letting my kids use technology so that sounds great. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  94. ZJ says

    Love the guest mode “feature”! It never occurred to me to have such a feature but I can just sense the benefit two fold - you protect the device from a child accessing other apps/features, the child can only access meant for him or her, and if you’re busy, the child can enable and operate the device himself or herself and without needing to ask a grown up to do it.

    Reply

  95. Hiba says

    13 Megapixel!!!! That’s insane! Much better than the iPhone! I use my phone for all pictures, even in vacation! I take a lot of food pics and selfies. And when it comes to food pics, you need great focus and that’s what I love the most about what you wrote about this phone!

    Reply

  107. Wayne Lecoy says

    I am entering your giveaway.
    It would be great to win the LG G3 smartphone.
    In response to your question of
    Based on my review of the LG G3 phone, which of the features that I mentioned is your favourite?
    My favourite feature is the Guest mode and i like that it has a 5.5″ Quad HD display.
    Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

    • says

      Smart notice is so cool! I love that your phone notifies you of the weather, haha! I have to say the Selfie mode is a sure winner. I cannot tell you how many times I wish a hand gesture would take the picture. the size is something I love! I have a Samsung note and size is not a matter, but I need a camera I can trust. I think the LG G3 has the camera this busy mom of 4 needs!

      Reply

  118. says

    I like the guest mode. I have never heard of a setting like that. I also love how long the battery seems to last. Seems like every phone I’ve ever had it never has enough battery life in it!

    Reply

  130. Elizabeth Vlug says

    I love that the LG G3 has one of the longest lasting batteries. Nothing worse than no battery. And it happens to me all the time with my ancient cell. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply

  131. Christina says

    Other then the incredible camera, the screen, the button on the back and finally guest mode.. great for the kiddos!

    Reply

  144. sunshine h says

    All of them. I don’t have a smart phone yet and it all seems very exciting. It would be especially nice to be able to take pictures whenever I wanted.

    Reply

  155. sarah w says

    I love the camera feature…my current phone camera is only 2mp and takes very poor, grainy pics! I would love to upgrade my old phone.

    Reply

  160. says

    I have 3 favorite features. The Knock Code is by far the coolest thing ever. I’ve never ever even heard of that before. Long battery life would be great. Our current phone dies within 12 hours dropping 5% every time you look at it. Lastly, the camera! Extremely handy!

    Reply

  161. Neil T says

    Have to go with the 13MP camera. As the old saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you. And you always have your cell phone with you. So that’s why its important to me.

    Reply

  171. says

    Love the Knock Code. I can never remember my password. And the picture quality if tops! My phone is cracked so I’m definitely in the market for one that will withstand the “love” of two five-year olds. Quite a tall order.

    Besos, Sarah
    Journeys of The Zoo

    Reply

  175. says

    Love the guest pass idea. That would make life so much easier, and I would not have to worry about kids getting in to things that they shouldn’t!

    Reply

  185. says

    the Battery Life if my favorite feature that you mentioned. I always feel like my devices die way to quickly from day to day. Maybe it’s me and maybe it’s them, but i’ll take your word on this one and I’d love to give ‘er a try.

    - Amber Y

    Reply

  190. says

    Absolutely love the guest mode option on their LG G2, but can’t help but hope that its improved a bit in the G3. We use it often with our nephew, so that he can play Angry Birds without us having to worry that he’ll accidentally call someone long distance when he’d rather explore my phone, lol. One of the few small things that we wanted to change about that guest mode was the background. I know its such a small thing, but the unchangeable default background was still sorta distracting, LOL.

    Reply

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